Cassette

Abstract

This invention relates to an X-ray film holder and more particularly to a cassette for holding low dosage, soft tissue, X-ray film, for use in association with a mammography machine.

What I claim is: 
     
       1. A cassette for sensitive sheet material comprising a frame having a ray transparent base of relatively rigid material having an ambient surface temperature and provided with an uninterrupted surface, four sides provided on said base and forming a chamber, a sheet of static electricity insulating material in said chamber against said base, a sheet of X-ray film in said chamber against said sheet of static electricity insulating material, an X-ray screen in said chamber against said X-ray film, a sheet of static electricity repellant material in said chamber against said X-ray screen, a pressure pad in said chamber against said sheet of static electricity repellant material, and a top slide, means to releasably secure said top slide in said frame in position covering said pressure pad in light tight seal condition and yieldingly urging said pressure pad towards said base, and means on one end of said top slide and a second means on said frame opposite to said means on said top slide to aid in manually engaging and disengaging said top slide from said frame. 
     
     
       2. A cassette for sensitive sheet material comprising a frame having a ray transparent base, a left side, a right side, a rear end and a front end, a wing integrally attached to said rear end, a chamber provided within said left side, right side, rear end, front end, and above said base, a groove provided in said left side, a second groove provided in said right side, a platform provided in said left side, right side, rear end and front end, a pressure pad having a shoulder along the marginal edges to engage said platform, and a top slide provided with tongues on opposite parallel sides to slidably engage said groove in said left side and right side, respectively, to provide a light-tight sealing lip, and a projection to permit manual removal of said top slide from said grooves in cooperation with said wing. 
     
     
       3. In the manufacture of a cassette for low dosage, soft tissue, sensitive X-ray film, the method comprising the steps of: a. selecting a frame having an X-ray transparent base of relatively rigid material, radiating ambient temperature to human touch,   b. providing a left side, a right side, a rear end and a front end on said base to form a chamber over said base,   c. attaching a wing to said rear end,   d. providing a groove in said left side,   e. providing a second groove in said right side parallel to said groove in said left side,   f. providing a platform in said left side, right side, rear end and front end,   g. inserting a sheet of static electricity insulating material in said chamber against said base,   h. inserting an X-ray film in said chamber against said sheet of static electricity insulating material,   i. inserting an X-ray screen in said chamber against said X-ray film,   j. inserting a sheet of static electricity repellant material in said chamber against said X-ray screen,   k. providing a pressure pad having a shoulder adapted to engage said platform in said left side, right side, rear end and front end,   l. providing a top slide, having tongues on opposite parallel sides adapted to overlie said pressure pad and compressing said pressure pad and slidably engage said groove in said left side and said groove in said right side, to provide a light-tight seal over said chamber, and   m. providing a projection on said top slide, to permit manual inserting and removal of said top slide from said grooves in cooperation with said wing.